Statement Complete

I have spent several hours pouring over my statement to read to the parole board in a matter of days, not weeks anymore, days. I have just been unsure of what to say. I had been trying to not let the anger to show through because I really don't know that that would help and I don't want to stand up there and rant about the messed up legal system even though that's how I feel. Instead I tried to just make it a continuation of my first letter that I read. I tried to show the board how our lives are without our Abrielle. I don't know if this is what I should have written about or not, but I am hoping they have kids and can feel my pain. I am hoping my grief will convey what Ryan Sundermann has done to us. I will share it with everyone after our hearing. I was hoping that having this done would lift a weight from me because I was really starting to feel the pressure, but it hasn't seemed to yet. Instead I just keep getting sick to my stomach. I think everything all at once here is just more than what my body knows how to deal with. The holidays are bad enough without the parole hearing jammed in the middle of it. Plus we are dealing with our other legal battle too. For those that don't know, Sundermann's insurance filed a lawsuit against us a week after the accident stating that they didn't have coverage and don't have to pay any of the bills. What a wonderful world we live in, huh. Slap a grieving family with a lawsuit for no reason. Nice.

I have also changed my mind as to what kind of picture I want in Ryan Sundermann's cell. Virginia used to teach in the prison system and clued me in on how some of the prisoners are. I really had not given any thought to the fact that there are pedophiles in there and that they might enjoy seeing my little girl's picture. I don't think this should get him out of having a constant reminder, so I think I am going to ask for a picture of her headstone instead. I'm not positive on this yet.

So now I am down to begging everyone out there.... please get us your letters soon. So far my public plea has only gotten 7 letters. I was so hoping for a lot more than that. Community attitude is one of the factors in the consideration of parole, so they need to hear from the community. It does not have to be anything long or eloquent, just something that voices your opinion that Ryan Sundermann should not be released. Please!

The Check is in the Mail

I received an email from Goodsearch that said our check is in the mail! It even contained some even more exciting news that each search earned 1.3 cents instead of just a penny! They cut off at the end of September, so we should be receiving over $179. I think this is just awesome since we do nothing other than what we would normally to earn this money. It's just one more click and it gives us the money. I personally have been doing my shopping through Goodsearch's GoodShop and ebay gives up to 37.5% of the purchase price. So if you're not doing your online shopping through GoodShop, check it out first to see if the store is one of the ones that donates. Thanks to all who have been GoodSearching and keep it up.

~Brenda

Saturday Bagging

We had a pretty good crew for the bagging on Saturday night. We had just over 100 animals to bag and then worked on the gifts for the preschools. Conner Heitman opened the teeny beenies with the help of JackJack.

We had the boys working hard on bagging...

while the girls decorated Abby's Hugs cards and Christmas messages.

We even broke in some more newbies (and we love that)! Lori Sneed, Shantel Farnan, and Marvin Lager came and helped for the first time.

Thanks for all the help everyone.

It's an Epidemic

I received a phone call from a lady I know that had read the story in the newspaper yesterday. She informed me of another family battling a similar situation. Here is the link to their story. http://www.houstonherald.com/articles/2008/11/21/news/doc4924178ff08f8990709424.txt This family lost 2 kids in their accident and the judge may release the offender after 120 days in prison. I really feel for them. We can so relate to what they are feeling right now. It seems as if this is an epidemic that needs resolved. These are lives snuffed out by someone else's selfish acts. How can a small amount of punishment be considered justice? We have had plans since we became aware of the legal aspects to try and reform the system. We want to make sure other families do not have to suffer the same injustices we have had to. We want an Abby's Law that will make these offenders have to pay for their crimes with no loopholes for them to use to beat the system. We want justice served for the victims. I have been in the process of gathering information for quite some time now, but unfortunately with the other battles we have had going on, that is all I have been able to accomplish. Now after hearing about another family fighting the system too, I am feeling a push to begin tackling the next step. Here is my public promise. After the holidays (since they are kicking my butt right now), I will dive in to the legal aspects of these types of crime and find out what we can do. I will keep everyone informed of my findings and the road blocks I come to. I have a feeling this may be an even longer process than what we have been through so far, but we will have justice for our little girl.

In the News

My plea for letters from the community garnered a front page story about the upcoming parole hearing. You can read it here http://www.maryvilledailyforum.com/news/x1751722910/Sundermann-up-for-parole
It seems we are not the only ones confused by the way the system works. Hopefully this article will educate others that are like us and had no idea this is what happens. As the article notes, community attitude is one of the factors in parole release, hence us asking for letters. I am hoping that if the board sees a large amount of letters that will influence their decisions. So, tell everyone to get their letters to us (in our hands by December 2nd) so we can keep Ryan Sundermann in prison.

A Lemonade Stand

I never cease to be amazed at the public support and help we receive. I was reading the newspaper and saw this article http://www.maryvilledailyforum.com/news/x1751720813/After-Thanksgiving-be-ready-for-bargains St. Gregory's will be having a lemonade stand at their rummage sale and the funds raised will go to the Foundation. I have been to St. Greg's a few times last year and their kids helped out with cards, bagging, and even purchased some animals for Abby's Hugs. They instill such wonderful values in the kids they teach and are so generous to help out in community projects. Thanks St. Greg's seventh graders!

Letter to the Editor

This letter to the editor will appear in the newspapers this week asking everyone to send in their letters as December 3rd is fast approaching. (And this is my plea to you)

On June 25, 2008, Ryan Sundermann was sentenced to six years in prison. While we understood that a six year sentence did not mean six years behind bars in a state facility, we did think that we had two years before we would have to worry about a parole hearing. Our hearts broke when we received notice that Ryan Sundermann would be receiving his first parole consideration hearing on December 3, 2008. We feel that six months behind bars is in no way enough punishment for our daughter’s death. We have spent over 600 days missing our little Abrielle while Sundermann has spent 161 days in prison. With his history of offenses, it would only be a matter of time before someone else becomes the victim and no one else needs to endure this heartache. Our little girl would be five now if it were not for Sundermann’s selfish act. She would have started kindergarten. She would have gotten her ears pierced this year. She would have been able to enjoy being a big sister like she so wanted to be. Criminals should not be rewarded for their “good behavior” in prison by being released early so we are asking that you join with us in preventing Sundermann’s release. We will be attending his parole hearing in Cameron to pour our hearts out to the parole board in hopes that the amount of justice the court ordered be served. We are requesting that anyone touched by our Abby’s life to please join in this fight with us and send a letter to the parole board. Ryan Sundermann will not see these letters but they will be read by the board and will become a part of his permanent record. These letters may be mailed to us, Marc and Brenda Neff, 16835 Icon Road, Pickering, MO 64476 or given to any immediate family member. We thank you for all the support shown to us during this long ordeal and pray that the legal aspects of this nightmare end soon with justice for our Abrielle.

Any of my blog readers out there wanting to send a letter, we would love to take them with us. Hopefully the more letters we have, the less his chance for parole.